Chicago quarterback Jay Cutler (6) lies on the ground grimacing in pain after being sacked by Washington defensive end Jarvis Jenkins (99) during the first half at FedEx Field in Landover, MD, Sunday, October 20, 2013. (Harry E. Walker/MCT)

Brandon Marshall’s belief hasn’t changed. Jay Cutler, he insists, will start Sunday in an NFC North first-place showdown against the Lions at Soldier Field. And Marshall’s keeping that assertion in permanent ink.

“Jay Cutler is back! He’s back!” the Bears receiver proclaimed with a laugh Wednesday, sticking to the bold prognostication he made two weeks ago for Cutler’s recovery from a torn groin. “So (my) prediction was right. I look like a genius right now.”

But Marc Trestman’s tune hasn’t changed either. And the Bears coach continues asserting that Cutler still needs medical clearance to even resume practicing. Then, once the veteran quarterback is back on the field, progressing through drills and running the offense, the Bears can better assess whether he’s comfortable and confident enough to retake the wheel.

Suddenly Thursday sets up as a crucial day in the Bears’ unpredictable season. The team will hold its first of two practices for this week at Halas Hall. Cutler is expected to participate at least in a limited capacity. And from there his mobility and pain level will be monitored closely with Trestman admitting he’s both hopeful and reserved about the possibility of Cutler playing Sunday.

“He’s been running around,” Trestman said. “He’s been redirecting. He’s been climbing the pocket. He’s been doing all of that. But we’ve got to be able to get the doctor’s OK to see where he’s at. We’ll know a little bit more (Thursday).”

For at least another day or two the “Jay’s OK” versus “He can’t possibly play” debate continues. And as curiosity elevates across Chicago about Cutler’s magically healing groin, key questions need definitive answers.

When will Cutler be able to generate full power in his throws without experiencing discomfort?

Can he cut and plant and move around enough yet to protect himself when pressure’s coming?

Can he operate without hesitance or worry or significant risk of aggravating the injury?

Trestman will seek answers. Cutler will provide his input. The team’s trainers and medical staff will control the green light.

“There is no gray area in this decision,” Trestman said. “The doctors are either going to say he can play — and that means he can play without any sense that there’s going to be (a problem). Nobody can ever predict 100 percent and we wouldn’t do that either. But certainly (we’d want to know) that the doctors feel he would be ready to play and play at full speed.

“If he is, then he’ll go. That’s really it.”

Still, the Bears have additional factors to consider. In the six full quarters since Cutler was injured Oct. 20 during a 45-41 loss in Washington, back-up Josh McCown has thrown for 476 yards and three touchdowns, guiding the Bears to 51 points.

McCown’s composure was obvious in Monday’s 27-20 upset of the Packers at Lambeau Field.

“The way he rallies the guys in practice, the way he prepares, it’s contagious, a trickle-down effect,” Marshall said.

It’s also worth noting that Sunday’s opponent, the Detroit Lions, own the defense that disrupted Cutler more than any other this season. In Week 4, the Lions sacked Cutler three times and harassed him into four turnovers, slapping the Bears with a 40-32 defeat that wasn’t as close as the final score might indicate.

So as risk-reward discussions go, maybe a speedy Cutler return wouldn’t be the most prudent choice. But that’s not stopping Cutler from pushing to get back.

“Jay’s on the right track,” Marshall said. “I think he’s going to try this week. And if he can go, he’ll go. And if he can’t, I think he’s going to make a very hard decision to rest it a little bit more. But he’s definitely put himself in position to make it out there for Sunday.”

In Cutler’s absence, the offense’s belief in McCown has certainly risen. But Marshall also knows the Bears will be most potent when Cutler returns. That’s why the ebullient receiver was wearing a gray T-shirt with Cutler’s image on it Wednesday.

“Let’s set the record straight: You can’t replace Jay Cutler,” Marshall said. “In this game, sometimes you have to make plays when there aren’t plays out there. And Jay is one of the best at that.”

As you comment, please be respectful of other commenters and other viewpoints. Our goal with article comments is to provide a space for civil, informative and constructive conversations. We reserve the right to remove any comment we deem to be defamatory, rude, insulting to others, hateful, off-topic or reckless to the community. See our full terms of use here.

More in Sports

The Minnesota high school boys hockey state tournament celebrates its 75th year this season. It has grown into one of the most popular prep tournaments in the country, due largely to one group of people: the players.

Richard Pitino and Jordan Murphy had the same conversation two years ago, but there was the Gophers men’s basketball coach imploring his star forward to not focus on his post moves Saturday. Murphy had been limited to four points and four rebounds, with two turnovers, as the Gophers trailed Penn State 38-30 at halftime at Williams Arena. “Stop worrying about...

The middleweight division in boxing has produced some of the most legendary in the sport — Tony Zale, Rocky Graziano, Jake LaMotta, Sugar Ray Robinson, Carlos Monzon, Marvin Hagler. St. Paul native Rob “Bravo” Brant has added his name to the list of middleweight champions. Brant is the WBA “regular” world champion in a division that also recognizes Mexico’s Canelo Alvarez...

Debbie Jones was watching on TV at her Apple Valley home last Monday when her son, Tre Jones, a freshman point guard at Duke, was lost indefinitely to the Blue Devils with a right shoulder injury in a loss to Syracuse. A day later, Debbie was watching on TV again when her other point guard son, Tyus, was lost indefinitely...